Le Culot was used as base for an offensive sweep to Kelz airfield and Zulpich in advance of a B-25 bomber mission. We took off at 2122 hrs and I led 'A' Flight with Sqn Ldr Merfort taking the position of Yellow One. We climbed out in fluid six formation due east and over the bomb line at over 11000 ft where the flak was minimal. The RV point of Duren was noted to the Flight and then we let down to Kelz airfield and flew a loop around Zulpich. I did not see any E/A on this sortie. On return over Kelz airfield I received heavy flak and my a/c had both heavily damaged wings and engine which was streaming coolant. At arouond this time Sqn Ldr Merfort suffered catastrophic damage to his tailplane and was seen by Yellow Two to go straight down out of control. With minimum rpm and zero boost I was able to get the a/c as far as Liege and I put down well on the airfield without further problem. I had oil all over the windscreen and wings like a sieve. I fear we have lost the Skipper but he may have survived a crash landing. F/Lt 'Madov' Emblin | 
